Middle East Conflict Continues to Halt Flights and Tourism into 2025

Amid escalating political tensions in the Middle East, the devastation of commercial air routes and tourism to the region is set to persist into spring 2025. The conflict, which intensified in October 2023, has since spread to Lebanon and Iran, adding to the tragic toll on human lives. In Israel, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport has faced shutdowns as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) respond to missile threats and drone activity over the Mediterranean, resulting in extensive airspace closures.

Approximately 30 airlines have now either canceled or indefinitely suspended flights to the impacted areas, adhering to official advisories from the UK government and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) against non-essential travel.

Latest Airline Schedule Updates

Airlines with previously imposed suspensions set to expire at the end of October and November are actively assessing the risks. Lufthansa Group, which includes SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, announced on October 23 that flights to Tehran and Beirut will remain grounded until early 2025. Lufthansa’s Tehran route is now expected to resume no sooner than February 1, while Beirut flights are suspended until at least March 1.

British Airways followed suit on October 25, suspending all flights to Israel until March 2025, offering refunds to affected passengers. Other airlines, including American, Delta, Cathay Pacific, EasyJet, and Transavia, have enacted similar policies.

Airlines Expected to Update Soon

Air France is currently slated to resume flights to Israel on October 29, with a press release anticipated in the coming days, while IAG’s schedule update is overdue. Aegean, Bulgaria Air, and Iberia Express are due to review their suspended services in the next week, with Air Baltic, ITA, and LOT Polish Airlines expected to re-evaluate their current suspensions by late November.

Looking ahead, KLM and Air Canada will assess their bans on Israel flights by the end of December 2024. Swiss flights to Beirut, as well as Wizz Air, Vueling, and Ryanair flights to Israel, are scheduled for review in January 2025. Ryanair’s website currently does not allow bookings for flights to Israel through April, suggesting a likely extension.

Airlines Suspended Indefinitely

Numerous carriers have issued indefinite suspensions of their Middle Eastern routes. As of now, Air Algerie, Air India, Croatia Airlines, Emirates, FlyDubai, Icelandair, Korean Air, TAP Air Portugal, and United have suspended flights until further notice.

With spring schedules already disrupted, it remains uncertain when flights to affected Middle Eastern regions will resume reliably, underscoring the widespread impact of the conflict on global travel networks and tourism.

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